The Bad Plus @ Queens Hall

Not just for the goatee stroking jazz elite, the post-modern compositions of the Bad Plus have definite crossover appeal. The trio, comprising double bass, piano and drums played a wide range of material, the most popular being the inspired renditions of Live and Let Die and the encore Chariots of Fire, both so experimental they barely resembled the originals. This experimentation was spread across the set by the accomplished troupe, although hooks and melodies were mixed in throughout. They excelled during the covers, and as such what they did to popular songs prompted the question of why they even bothered to write anything original. With a drummer intent on using every possible surface of his kit - including a random batch of electronic instrument toys -plus some quality banter from the pianist, the trimmings were sufficient to make this gig much more than an experimental jam session. [Xavier Toby]